Our Wierd Relationship with Insects
Episode Introduction
In today's episode, we chat with Chris Helzer, director of science for the Nature Conservancy about our misconceptions surrounding bugs, some fascinating examples of bees, beetles, et al., and why we should merge beauty and utility in our gardens.
Host Stephanie Barelman
Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.
Guest Chris Helzer
Chris Helzer is Director of Science for The Nature Conservancy in Nebraska, where he conducts research and evaluates prairie management and restoration work. He is also dedicated to raising awareness about the value of prairies through his photography, writing and presentations. Chris is author of The Prairie Ecologist blog, and two books: The Ecology and Management of Prairies in the Central United States and Hidden Prairie: Photographing Life in One Square Meter. He is also a frequent contributor to NEBRASKAland magazine and other publications. Chris and his family live in Aurora, Nebraska.
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Episode Content
Chris' photography
-Check it out here: https://prairieecologist.com/
Land Management
We need to be responsible stewards. Every landscape needs management to be its most efficient, especially since us humans have introduced invasive species to habitats. Land management people use tools like fire and methods to remove these invasive species to keep the land healthy.
Bug Terror
Only a few species round here are truly dangerous- think brown recluse, ticks, or disease carrying mosquitos. But Chris is really trying to let you know- they aren't out to get you. It's not all about you. I'm looking at you, Babs.
Should sci-fi writers keep depicting aliens as insect-like?
When we learn more about insects and we learn to tolerate them better, they stop being alien and they start being fascinating.
Is it a bad characterization to label insects as either beneficial or pests?
Yes! This is not only lazy but giving very incomplete info. Are we strictly divided into pools of bad and good people? No, of course not!
Bugs are bugs. They are diverse and they provide diverse functions. Ignorance is why people want to file things into black and white categories. Don't be ignorant, Babs, it's not a good look for you.
Misconceptions about bees and wasps
They are not out to get you. Let's say it together: "THEY-ARE-NOT-OUT-TO-GET-YOU." Use that as your mantra at yoga tonight. It's probably the most meaningful thing we will tell you here on our podcast, and glab dannit, it's true.
Attracting bees does not equal being stung.
Wasps feed insects to young, they gorge on nectar for themselves.
Most bees are solitary, very few bees are social. If you can have a heart for single moms, you can have a heart for hard-working momma bees.
Fascinating insects
Oil beetles- hitch a ride under disguise into enemy territory to feed their kids and win. Sad for the bees that fall prey, but awesome for science.
Cudweed Grasshoppers- Did you know that grasshoppers ate grass? I sure didn't.
Migrating butterflies and moths- Would you fly thousands of miles to get married and multiply? That's actually a bad example because they keep cranking out new seasons of Love is Blind, so apparently we would...
Host Plants! Think milkweed is the only host plant? Think again! Chris discusses pasque flower, pitcher sage, prairie sage, and narrow leaf penstemon but there are thousands more of these kinds of relationships.
Bugs Stephanie likes to see- mimic bees, goldenrod soldier beetles, ash mead's digger wasps or bent-shielded bieseiger wasps or whatever they actually are, I am stumped... the clear wing hummingbird moth, dragonflies, and sweet sweet buzzy bumblebees.
Should I care about generalist insects and specialist insects?
Yes! Ecosystems are made up of diverse populations of creatures and so planting a garden of various native wildflowers and grasses will cater to generalists who need diversity and also to specialists who need some of the specific plants you have planted.
Can people really plant plants that attract bugs? Who would be crazy enough to do that?
We are the crazies and we want you to be big flaming weirdos too! Pollinators are bugs, people. Yes, sometimes they are birds and bats. But most of them are bugs!
Chris' recommendations for bug-attracting natives!
Sunflowers- stiff, Maximilian, sawtooth, Jerusalem. Just know that perennial sunflowers are aggressive, okay bae? Give 'em some room and don't be mad when they make babies.
Prairie clover- purple or white, take your pick
Spiderwort- I someone to bring some over and forcibly plant them in my garden, because somehow I still haven't gotten any
Flowering shrubs- redbud, serviceberry, sandcherry, native rose Rosa Carolina
Swamp Milkweed- fragrant and not crazy, basically your ideal qualities in a life partner
The mantra again
Bugs are not out to get you.
Thank you Chris, let's keep persuading people to rethink bugs!
Additional content related to this episode:
What makes a plant native?
http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska
https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society
native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)
On the Web
BONAP aforementioned
BNPS aforementioned
http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook
Books & Authors
Rick Darke- The Living Landscape
Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park". Link to Nature's Best Hope book here:
Enrique Salmon- Iwigara
Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany
Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com
Native Plants of the Midwest
Planting in a Post-Wild World
Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska
Additional Resources
Other Local Organizations
- Green Bellevue
- PATH
- Nebraska Native Plant Society
Listen, rate, and subscribe!
Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/
Find us on Facebook
Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm
Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska
Support My Work via Patreon
The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.
